Serghei Spivac vs. Carlos Felipe set for July 18 UFC event in Abu Dhabi

A heavyweight bout has been added to an upcoming “Fight Island” show.

Serghei Spivac (10-2) fights Carlos Felipe (8-0) on July 18 at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. MMA Fighting confirmed the bout with sources after an initial report by Combate.

The bout was originally expected to take place at UFC 250 on May 9 in Brazil, but when that event was moved to the United States and became UFC 249 due to the coronavirus pandemic causing schedule changes, visa issues prevented both fighters from traveling to the U.S. and the matchup was postponed.

This is Spivac’s second appearance of 2020. Spivac, 25, lost a unanimous decision to Marcin Tybura in February and is now 1-2 so far in the UFC.

Felipe, 25, makes his UFC debut after scoring wins in his first eight pro bouts. He signed with the promotion in 2017, but his debut was delayed by a two-year USADA suspension for the steroid stanozolol and he withdrew from a scheduled bout with Jeff Hughes in March. Six of Felipe’s wins have come by way of knockout.